It’s that time of the year when there is a certain energy in the air! Spending time with family and friends, indulging in foods we shouldn’t and maybe having a cocktail or two more than we normally do.

It is also a time of year when the temperatures have dropped and wind and rain are whipping around us. This can leave our skin feeling dry, itchy, rough, and tight. Now is the time to change your daily skin routine before it’s too late!

Skin is the barrier that helps keep germs and other foreign invaders out of our body, so we must keep our skin in tip top shape by keeping it healthy so it can do it’s job.

I’m going to share with you my beauty rules for this cold weather season.

One: There is nothing like taking a long hot shower or bath on a chilly morning, but it’s best for your skin to turn that water to lukewarm and avoid stripping away the delicate oils of our skin.

Two: Moisturize Immediately after your shower. I like to use baby oil on my skin prior to drying off, wait a few moments and then towel dry. Throughout the day moisturize your hands and face as these areas are the most exposed to the elements. Apply a replenishing moisturizer to your entire body in every evening.

Three: Drink plenty of water! This is so very important. I know there is nothing more tasty than a warm drink (like a chestnut praline latte) but our skin needs to stay hydrated from the inside out to stay healthy, and water is the best way. A great way to start the day is to drink a warm cup of water with a half of lemon juice squeezed in. The lemon juice contains vitamin C which can help boost the body’s collagen, a protein that maintains skin.

Four: Exfoliate dead skin, especially on face, hands, and feet. A moisturizer will not be able to penetrate through several layers of dead skin cells. Use a exfoliating mask once a week on your face and hands and don’t forget about your lips, I love this one for the lips, then use a lip moisturizer or chap stick. I put Vaseline on my lips at night to keep them moisturized.

Five: Change your skin care products to more moisturizing ones in the cold months. For people with Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis winter months are extra harsh on your skin. Make sure you are using products for sensitive skin, don’t forget about including your laundry detergent in those products.

Thanks for the reminder to use an exfoliating mask. I’m always interested in any product recommendations you make. I permanently switched to the eye makeup remover you mentioned a while back. It’s much less expensive than the one I used to use and equally as good.

Great reminders Mary!Sometimes I am in too much of a hurry and need to slow down and take better care of my skin! I am living in Seattle this winter and it was 43 this morning. That is very cold for a So Cal girl!